Empowering Change Agents: Youth Organizing Groups as Sites for Sociopolitical Development.
Am J Community Psychol
; 63(1-2): 46-60, 2019 03.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30768728
ABSTRACT
In addition to social action campaigns, some youth organizing groups provide formative learning experiences which engage youth in relevant sociopolitical issues through critical approaches. These groups support sociopolitical development (SPD), a self and socially-oriented process which influences youth personally, politically, and professionally into adulthood. This study explored how youth organizing experiences influenced SPD in the professional domain, applying an empowerment lens. Phenomenologically-based interviews were conducted with former sexual health education youth organizers and adult program staff. Former youth participants chose socially-oriented career paths influenced by the group's empowering approach to sexual health education and advocacy. They related meaningful sociopolitical learning experiences (e.g., interpersonal, educational, and civic engagement) to empowerment outcomes (e.g., political efficacy, critical awareness, and participatory behaviors) which informed career decisions. Professionally, participants sought to empower others as the group empowered them, drawing upon youth organizing social and human capital as they worked toward this aim. Combining sociopolitical and empowerment theorizing, the study adds to what is known about how purposefully designed youth organizing experiences support long-term development outcomes for individuals. Viewed as socially-oriented career development sites, youth organizing groups build capacity for social change beyond the groups themselves. Implications for youth organizing scholars and practitioners are provided.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
10_ODS3_salud_sexual_reprodutiva
/
11_ODS3_cobertura_universal
/
2_ODS3
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Política
/
Educação Sexual
/
Mudança Social
/
Poder Psicológico
/
Comportamento do Adolescente
/
Participação da Comunidade
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Community Psychol
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article